Vehicle data recorder

ABSTRACT

Vehicle data recorder system including method and apparatus which, without constant attention of the operator, makes a printed recording of the velocity, direction of travel of each vehicle actuating the recorder and the time of day each vehicle actuates the recorder. One preferred embodiment has concentric printing platens which move relative to one another and relative to a printing zone so that the current time of day and the velocity of the actuating vehicle are simultaneously disposed within the printing zone. A clock mechanism determines the position of the time of day platen so that the correct time of day is in the printing zone. Spaced vehicle sensors serially sense a moving vehicle and generate an electrical signal which causes the velocity printing platen to move until the vehicle velocity is within the printing zone. A predetermined sequence of activation of the sensors causes the direction of travel of be printed. A total vehicle count is accumulated on a tabular readout. Another presently preferred embodiment converts the vehicle speed and time of day into encoded pulses which actuate a punch or printer to encode punch tape or print out with the data described above.

United. States Patent Newmeyer I r541 VEHICLE DATA RECORDER 72 Inventor:Reed A. Newmeyer452l West Claremont Street, Glendale, Ariz. 85301 22Filed: July 11,1969' 21 Appl.No.: 841,033

52 u.s. c1. ..346/40, 324/180, 346/59, I 346/88 [51 rm. c1. ..G01p13/00[58] Field of Search ..346/40, 73, 79, 33 D, 88, 90, 346/92, 59, 60, l,94; 324/178-180; 235/92 T, 92 TC; 340/31 FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS1,144,406

3/1969 Great Britain "324/130 1151 3,704,344 [451 Nov. 28, 1972 PrimaryExaminer-Joseph W. Hartary Attorney--Martin L. Stoneman [57] ABS'I'RACIVehicle datarecorder system including method and apparatus which,without constant attention of the operator, makes a printed recording ofthe velocity, direction of travel of each vehicle actuating the recorderand the time of day eachvehicle actuates the recorder. Onepreferred'embodiment has concentric printing platens which move relativeto one another and relative to a printing zone so that the current timeof day and the velocity of the actuating vehicle are simultaneouslydisposed within the printing zone. A

' clock mechanism determines the position of the time of day platen sothat the correct time of day is in the printing zone. Spaced vehiclesensors serially sense a moving vehicle and generate an electricalsignal which v causes the velocity printing platen to move until thevehicle velocity is within the printing zone. A predetermined sequenceof activation of the sensors causes the direction of travel of beprinted. A total vehicle count is accumulated on a tabular readout.Another presently preferred embodiment converts the vehicle speed andtime of day into encoded pulses which actuate a punch or printer toencode punch tape or print out with the data described above.

3 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEUNUV28I972 SHEET 1 OF 4 w v v t FIG.IO

PATENTEDunv 28 I972 3. 704.344

- SHEEI 3 UF 4 Vahicio B n ino Pulse Sensor I Timer Sequence GeneratorControl Vehicle Bwnkino circuit 236 Printer Sensor 2 T e 2 or Punch 5 f'Print or Punch 206 205 232 FIG. 9 fi f m 141 '8, J a l 6 I {l l oo\5\j;

6280 2x24 I39 I39 I39 I36 FIG. 6

222 240 L o o /2eo "I 254 250 256"?- 2&

9' R 52 n 6 I 1 1 50 244 Recorder 45 VEHICLE DATA RECORDER BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION normally disposed across a road. When a motor vehicleprogressing down the road engages the air filled tube, the tubecollapses and the air therein is compressed to trip the pneumaticswitch. The switch, in turn, actuates an electronic tabular counterhaving a visually observable readout showing the total number of timesthe switch was actuated.

* The accumulated data made available by the above type devices ismerely a final tally of the number of times the pneumatic switch wasactuated in a period of time, for example, a one hour period.

Alternatively, more complex data can be accumulated with a radar setwhich requires constant supervision of a skilled operator. Thus a largenumber of man hours and much expensive equipment is necessary'to collectvehicle traffic data. Conventional radar sets are particularlyinefficient in collecting data when the average daily traffic is lessthan 2,000 vehicles.

BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present inventioncomprises improved methods and apparatus for developing accurate andextensive traffic data so that traffic patterns can be more completely.determined. The apparatus has spaced vehicle sensors which are seriallyactuated by a moving vehicle to develop time-related signalsrepresentative of the speed of the vehicle. Novel blanking structure isprovided for use with the vehicle sensors to avoid development oferroneous data. The vehicle speed is then recorded alongwith the time ofday. Also, the direction of travel determined by the sequence ofactivation of the spaced switches and accumulation of total vehicles andtotal recording events are recorded.

Thus, the traffic data accumulated and displayed by the presentinvention reveals the speed and direction of each vehicle and the timeof day when the vehicle actuated the apparatus without continuingattention by an operator. .The mentioned information makes possible anaccurate determination of vehicle traffic patterns in the location ofthe apparatus. j t

It is .a primary object of the present invention to provide novelmethods and apparatus for collecting traffic 7 data.

It is another primary object of the present invention to provideimproved methods and apparatus accommodating recordation of all or anycombination. of vehiactuation of the apparatus by a vehicle.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide novelapparatus which will record vehicle data while unattended by supervisingoperator.

One still further object of the present invention is to provide adependable data accumulating apparatus which can be easily set foroperation by unskilled personnel.

One further and no, less important object of the present inventionincludes an improved data collecting apparatus having self-containedpower source.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a totalvehicle count readout.

It is another significant object of the present invention to provideblanking structure for eliminating sensor signals to avoid developmentof erroneous data.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims taken into conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentaryperspective-ofthe presently preferred recording apparatus embodiment with parts brokenaway to reveal inner parts;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of the recorder embodiment of FIG.1 with the cover removed to reveal the printing andrecording structure;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of the printing structure of theembodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the concentric printing platens of theprinting structure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is front elevational view of the paper advancing structure ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5a is a back fragmentary elevational view of the paper advancingstructure of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a recording strip with datarecorded thereon;

FIG. 7 is a perspective block diagram schematically illustratingcircuitry of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7a is a schematic circuit diagram of the blanking timer of FIG. 7.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic perspective block .diagrams illustratingother presently preferred detecting and recording embodiments; and

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a presently preferred mode ofcollecting data with the preferred data collecting and recordingembodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The Embodiments of FIGS. 1-6

With reference to FIG. 1, the vehicle data recorder generally designated20 comprises an encasement generally designated 22 which may be formedof fiberglas and has a bottom member 24. The encasement bottom 24 hashandles 26 secured by bolts 28 or the like to the sides 30 thereof. Theback portion 32 of the encasement bottom 24 preferably has side-by-sideelectrical couplings 34 and 36 which are rigidly mounted upon the bottom24. The couplings 34 and 36 comprise sockets (not shown) for receivingplugs or jacks 38. and 40. Interiorly threaded collars 42 and 44 arerotatably joined to the plugs 38 and 40' and are I adapted to threadedlyengage the couplings 34 and 36 in a conventional manner so that plugs38. and 40 cannot be inadvertently removed from couplings 34 and 36.Electric cords 46 and 48 carry electrical impulses from pneumaticswitches 50 and 52 (see FIG. to the recorder 20 as will be hereinaftermore fully described.

An encasement top 54 has side portions 56 which have a peripheralshoulder 58 adjacent the open end of the top'54. Shoulder 58 is integralwith a flange 60 which,- when superimposed upon the bottom 24 fitsaround the edge 62 of the bottom 24 until the shoulder 58 engages thetop edge 62. If desired, the edge 62 may be covered with a compressiblerubber material in order to form an air and moisture tight seal betweenthe top and bottom encasement portions.

Also, if desired, latch members may be disposed on both top and bottomencasement portions so that the encasement 22 may be locked in theassembled position illustrated in FIG. 1.

A rigid partition 64 (FIG. 2) is mounted upon the encasement bottom 24so as to be disposed entirely within the encasement 22. The rear side 66of the partition 64 has connected thereto an outwardly projecting plate68 which, with the partition 64, defines a compartment 70. A pluralityof 6-volt batteries 72 are disposed in the compartment 70 and areconnected in series with conductors 74 electrically connected to thepoles 76 thereof. The batteries 72 are maintained in the compartment 70with straps 78 and 80 which are tightly disposed around the batteries 72and attached to the partition 64 and plate 68 with, for example, bracket82 (FIG. 2) joined by bolts 84 to the partition 64 and plate 68 (notshown on plate 68). Buckles 86 on each of the straps 78 and 80accommodate tight fit of the respective belts around the batteries 72.Batteries 72 are a self-contained power source for the recorder 20,however, if desired the recorder could be powered by electrical currentfrom a conventional electrical outlet. If conventional electric power isused, a conventional AC. to DC. converter (power supply) is required.

A second plate 69 projects parallel to plate 68 and cooperates therewithto define a compartment 71 (FIG. 1). Compartment 71 is divided with ashelf 67 disposed horizontally between plates 68 and 69. Capacitors8land 83 respectively disposed above and beneath shelf 67 maintain avoltage on the circuitry (FIG. 7) when the print solenoid (FIGS. 3 and7) causes a heavy load on the batteries 72. A conventional tabularcounter 73 is disposed upon the shelf 67 and a visual readout 75 iseasily visible when the top 22 is removed. A reset knob 77 allows thecounter to be reset to zero. The counter 73 is connected into pneumaticswitch 50 or 52 (FIG. 10) and the number of vehicles which actuate theswitch will be tabulated by the counter 73.

The front side 87 of partition 64 provides a mounting surface for thedata recording mechanism 88. The data recording mechanism 88 preferablycomprises an electric clock 90 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) which may beconventional and which is operated by batteries 92 disposed withinbattery container 94 and battery clip 95. The batteries 92 may beconventional one and a half volt dry cell batteries commonly known asflashlight batteries. The clock 90 and container 94 are mounted upon thehorizontal plate 89 which is rigidly attached to bracket 93.

The clock 90 may be any suitable conventional electrically operatedclock mechanism and differs from the commonly known clocks primarily inthat the hour hand (not shown) is connected directly to a shaft 96 (FIG.3) which terminates in an annularly enlarged disc 98. With reference toFIG. 4, the disc 98 comprises preferably a metal or molded plasticprinting platen the periphery 100 of which is provided with raisednumerals 102 from one to twelve represeting the hours on the face of aclock. The numerals 102 are separated by spaced smaller marks 104 whichare likewise raised and which represent quarter hours between thenumerals 102. Numerals 102 and marks 104 are disposed around a portionof the periphery 100 of the printing platen or disc 98.

The circular printing platen 98 rests within an annular recess '106within a second circular printing platen 108. As best shown in FIG. 3,the platen 108 is provided with a bearing within the recess 106 whichallows for low friction relative rotation of the platen 98 and theplaten 108. The platen 98 has a transverse dimension which isessentially identical to the depth of the annular recess 106 so that theexposed upper surfaces of the platens 108 and 98 are substantially flushas shown in FIG. 3.

Printing platen 108 has raised indicia 112 which represent velocity inmiles-per-hour, each indicium representing an incremental change. As canbe observed from FIG. 4, the mile-per-hour scale is nonlinear around theperiphery of the platen 108. It is presently preferred that thecharacters are raised to a uniform height above the platen 108.

The platen 108 has a peripheral notch 107 in the lower surface thereof.The notch 107 is engaged with actuating lever 111 of a reset switch 109when the platen 108 returns to a predetermined at-rest position. Thereset switch 109 may be adjusted in position to compensate formechanical tolerances and motor acceleration time. Actuation of thereset switch 109 determines the termination point of the rotation of theplaten 108.

The platen 108 illustrated in FIG. 3 is selectively revolved by a driveshaft 114 which is connected by a conventional gear train 116 to adirect current permanent magnet motor 118. A governor 120 insures thatthe motor 118 runs at a constant predetermined speed. The governor 120,the motor 118 and the gear train 116 are serially joined to a mount 122which is rigidly joined to the partition 64.

The motor 118 is energized when a moving vehicle triggers a signal inpneumatic switch 50 (FIG. 10) causing the signal to be communicatedthrough the cord 46 to the motor 118 through the circuit illustrated inFIG. 7. When motor 118 is energized, printing platen 108 will revolve ata constant rate of speed. It is presently preferred that the speed ofmotor 118, as controlled by governor 120, be 9 revolutions per minute(6.66 seconds per revolution). With the above motor speed, the platen108 will traverse an angular rotation of 54 per second. It is known thatone mile per hour approximately equals 1.467 feet per second. With thisknowledge, if the pneumatic switches 50 and 52 (FIG. 10) are situated sothat after switch 50 is actuated a vehicle must travel 146.7 feet beforeactuating pneumatic switch 52, the exact distribution of the indicia 112can be easily determined according to the following equation:

' l time= distance/velocity If the vehicle is traveling at 100 miles perhour, the time required to travel the 146.7 feet is calculated asfollows:

(2) t 146.7 feet/146.7 feet persecond 1 second.

(3) t 146.7 feet/73.3 feet per second= 2 seconds= per rotation of theplaten 108. {At 25 miles per hour:

(4) t 146.7 feet/ 36.6 feet per second 4 seconds ofrotation of theplaten 108.

By calculations similar to'those set forth above in equations 2-4, theexact location along the periphery of the platen 108 of any velocity inthe preferred range 20 to 100 miles per hour can be found.

A printing platen 124 is carried upon a vertically displaceable plate125 which is disposed above the annular platens 98 and 108 adjacent asingle peripheral location or printing zone 126. Plate 125 is carriedupon a shaft (not shown) reciprocably carried within a solenoid 128 andsolenoid 128 is mounted upon the vertical portion 93.

A tension spring 130 is secured by screws 132 and 134 to theprintingplate 125 and solenoid l28'respectively to continuouslyurge theplaten 124 upwardly away from platens 98 and 108. I r v A paper strip isnormally disposed in .the printing zone 126 between the printing platen124 and platens 98 and 108. The paper strip is preferably impressionpaper which forms a permanent record of each impression without carbonpaper. An example of suitable paper is Action paper manufactured byMinnesota Mining & Manufacturing. Alternatively, anink ribbon or carbonpaper couldbe super-imposed under the paper strip 136 to make apermanent record in the platen 124-is rapidly forced downward intocontact with the paper strip 136 upon the raised indicia'112, 102 and104 which are disposed within the I printing zone 126. Thus the indiciain the printing zone 126 are recorded on the strip 136. The solenoid 128is actuated when the second of the two pneumatic switches 50 and 52 havebeen closed by a moving vehicle. I

The indicia recorded upon the paper strip 136 is best understood byreference to FIG. 6.

As shown in FIG.- 6, the marks'made by the inner platen 98 (smaller arcof chafacters) represent the time of day; The marks made by the outerplaten, 108 (larger arc of characters) represent the velocity of thevehicle being recorded. Since a narrow range of times and velocities isprinted with each actuation of the printing platen, a dot 139,indicating the exact reading position, is printed between the two arcsof characters.

Another dot' l41 appears inside the smaller arc of characters on onlysome of the printed recording. The dot 141, made by structurehereinafter more fully described, indicates the direction of travel ofthe vehicle being recorded. For example, if the traffic on a north-southroad is being recorded, traffic traveling in one predetermined directionwill cause a dot 141 to be printed. Traffi'c traveling in the otherdirection will not cause a dot 141 to be printed. Thus, in FIG. 6,'thedirection of travel of each recorded vehicle can be determined.

The dot 141 will be printed only when a preselected one of the switches50 and 52 (FIG. 10) is set to actuate the direction pointer 270 (FIG. 3)and only when the preselected one switch is the first switch-energizedby the recorded vehicle.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the direction printer 270 comprises a solenoid272 having a vertically reciprocable shaft 274 attached to an actuatingarmature (not shown) normally carried within the solenoid 272. Aprinting arm 276 is pivotally connected by pin 278 to the verticalportion 93. Thus, when shaft 274 is vertically displaced downward, thearm 276 will pivot at pin 278 until the dogged end 280 of arm 276 causesdot 141 (FIG. 6) to print on paper strip 136.

A tension spring 282 is connected by pin 284 to the solenoid 272 and bypin 286 to the arm 276 so that arm 276 is biased upwardly as shown inFIG. 3. The dogged end 280 of arm 276 is normally disposed adjacentplate and is downwardly displaced by solenoid 272.

Withreference to FIG. 2, the paper strip 136 is dispensed from a feedingmandril: 138 and traverses across idler rollers 140 and 142 through theprinting zone 126 (FIG. 3). The paper strip 136 is compressed betweenthe roller 142 and a drive roller 144. I

Drive roller 144 is connected by a tension spring 146 to a verticallydisplaceable roller 148. Drive roller 144 is fixedly, though rotatablyconnected to partition 64 so that the spring 146 urges the rollers 142and 148 into tight contiguity with the drive roller 144.

Drive roller 144 is provided with a peripheral rubber band or O-ring 150which grips the paper strip 136 as it traverses between the drive roller144 and the idler roller 142. The rubber band 150 provides sufficientfriction surface so that when drive roller 144 rotates, the paper strip136 will be longitudinally displaced.

The paper strip 136 then traverses over guide shaft 152 and is woundupon take up mandril 154. Mandril 154 has peripheral flanges 156 whichflanges 156 serve as guides for the paper strip 136 as it is rolled uponthe mandril 154.

The mandril 154, as best illustrated in FIG. 2, is rotatably connectedto the partition 64.and is provided adjacent the connection with adiametrally enlarged extension 158. Extension 158 is provided with aperipheral groove 160. A drive belt 162 is disposed between theextension 158 and the drive roller '144 so that as the drive roller 144rotates counter clockwise to advance the paper strip 136, the mandril154 will be likewise rotated counterclockwise to take up the paper strip136. V

Referring again to FIG. 3, the platen 108 has a radially outwardlyprojecting pin 164 which, when platen 108 rotates, strikes a lever 166adjacent one end 168 thereof. The lever 166 is connected by a pivot pin170 (FIG. 5) to the partition 64. When the lower end 1680f the lever 166is moved by the pin 164, the lever 166 will pivot about the pin 170 in aclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5. The other end 172 of the lever166 is pivotally connected with 176.

Connecting rod 176 is likewise pivotally connected at the distal end 178with pin 180 to a pivot arm 182. Pivot arm 182 is rotatably joined to ashaft 184. Racket wheel 188 is similarly rotatably joined to the shaft184. A drive pawl 186 is pivotally mounted upon the pivot arm 182 by pin183 and is biased into engagement with the rachet wheel 188 by spring189 (FIG. a). Spring 189 is also attached to the shank of screw 201 suchthat the drive pawl drives ratchet wheel 188 in a counterclockwisedirection. g

Rachet wheel 188 comprises a series of outwardly tapered surfaces 190interrupted by shoulders 192 as is conventional. A spring steel detent194 is joined to the partition 64and is adapted to ride over the taperedsurfaces 190 when the rachet wheel 188 rotates counterclockwise and toabut against the shoulder 192 when a clockwise force is exerted on therachet wheel 188. Thus, rachet wheel 188 is allowed to revolvecounterclockwise but is restrained from revolving clockwise.

. The detent 194 is normally disposed adjacent a shoulder 192 to preventthe ratchet wheel 188 from rotating clockwise when the pawl 186 retractsalong the periphery of the ratchet wheel. The pivot arm 182 is springbiased such as with spring 196 in a clockwise direction. Spring 196 isanchored to the partition 64 in a conventional manner (not shown) and ishooked at 1 198 over the outwardly projecting shank of screw 201attached to the pivot arm 182.

Thus, by referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, it can be appr'eciated that whenthe printing platen 108 revolves so that the pin 164 strikes the end 168of the lever 166, the lever 166 will rotate clockwise around the pivotpoint 170. As lever 166 rotates clockwise, the connecting rod 176 willbe displaced toward the right (in FIG. 5 )causing the pivot arm 182 anddrive pawl 186 to push against shoulder 192 to cause rachet wheel 188 torotate. counterclockwise the distance of, for example, one rachet tooth.

Ratchet wheel 188 is integrally connected with the paper drive roller144(FIG. 2) so that the arm 182 (FIG. 5) drives pawl 186 and displaces,counterclockwise, both the drive roller 144 and rachet wheel 188.

The method of operation of the recorder 20 can best be understood byreference to FIG. 7. The vehicle sensor, generally designated 300 may beany suitable sensor, for example, pneumatic tube 256 and pneumaticswitch 50 (FIG. When the sensor is actuated, a signal is formed which iscommunicated through line 351 to energize blanking timer 302 so thatrear wheels of the vehicle and-closely following vehicles will not againactivate a flip-flop 304, hereafter more fully described. The sensor 300remains blanked for a period of time determined by blanking timer 302.

The blanking timer 302 is best understood by reference to FIG. 7A. Thesignal resulting from actuation of sensor 300 iS communicated throughline 351 and is conducted through resistor 370 and transistor 372 toresistor 374. Resistor 370 delivers sufficient current such thattransistor 372 saturates. Current through pin 174 to. a connecting rodlow value resistor 374 essentially discharges capacitor about nineseconds. The time lapse is referred to as a blanking period. Onepreferred embodiment of the blanking timer 302 having a time lapse ofabout 9 seconds has a resistor 374 value of about 270 ohms, a resistor378 value of about 8.2 megohms and a capacitor value of about 1.0microfarad.

When the voltage on capacitor 376 exeeds the trigger voltage of theSchmidt trigger the output of the Schmidt trigger produces a voltagelevel change. Amplifier 384 increases the voltage change and lowersimpedance. A differentiated pulse then appears after capacitor 382 andis conducted through line 386 to set flip flop 304.

Resistor 388 and capacitor 390 cooperate to filter high frequencysignals.

The signal from blanking timer 302 is then communicated through line 386to a flip-flop circuit 304 which actuates motor driver 118 and motor119. Motor 119 will start rotation of the platen 108 (FIG. 3) as abovedescribed. When sensor 300 is actuated a signal will appear in line 308at the print delay input 311 and direction print 318 to await a signalthrough line 309.

After sensor 300 has been actuated, vehicle sensor 306 will be actuatedby the same vehicle to form another signal which is time-related to thefirst signal. A blanking timer 308 which is substantially similar toblanking timer 302 will blank subsequent signals from sensor 306 for apredetermined time period, e. g., essentially the same length of time (9seconds) blanked by blanking timer 302. The other signal is communicatedto flip-flop circuit 310 which is set in the same manner described forflip-flop 304 above. Also a signal is communicated from flip-flopcircuit 310 to print delay input 307 which, with signal at input 31 1,activates the print delay 313 which after a delay, for example 0.8seconds, energizes the printing solenoid 128 (see also FIG. 3). Themotor pause gate 314 in response to a delayed signal from print delay313 causes motor 119 to stop rotation immediately prior to and duringengagement of the platens 98 and 108 by platen 124 (FIG. 3).

It is presently preferred that a dynamic brake 400, be used to slowmotor 119. Dynamic brake 400 essentially shorts out the motor armatureso that the motor is rapidly brought to a stop.

Flip-flop circuits 304 and 310 are connected to the direction printcircuit 318 and if flip-flop circuit 304 is set before flip-flop 310 isset, circuit 318 will communicate a drive signal to the direction printsolenoid 270 (see also FIG. 3). Thus, the direction print solenoid willbe actuated to print dot 141 (FIG. 6) only when the vehicle actuatessensor 300 before sensor 306.

When the printing functions are completed, the motor pause gate 314allows the motor 1 19 to continue rotation to the reset position. Atreset position, switch 109 (FIG. 3) is activated to cause a pulse to begenerated by reset pulse generator 312. Reset pulse generator resets theflip-flop circuits 304 and 310.

The dynamic brake is again applied to stop motor 1 19 quickly.

The Embodiment of FIG. 8 e

The circuit logic generally designated 200.comprises a first vehiclesensor 202 which may be essentially identical to sensor 300 of FIG. 7.

Anelectricalimpulse from the sensor 202 is conveyed through the blankingtimer 204 to the sequence and controlcircuits 208., Blanking timer 204may be'essentially identical to blanking timer 302.

' The signal is then conveyed to an integrator control 210. Anintegrator'2l2 begins integrating and feeds its output into a comparator214. The integrator 212 integrates at a constant rate or at a controlledvariable rate such that the output thereof is a linear representation ofvehicle velocity. A second signal from sensor 206 is also communicatedthrough blanking timer 205 and sequence and control circuits 208 to gate210 which stops the integrator 212. The comparator 214 compares thevoltage on the potentiometer wiper 222 and the voltage on the integrator212. This produces an error signal through line 211 to activate themotor drive 216, which, in turn, actuates the motor 224 to move thepotentiometer wiper 222 until. voltage at 222 equals the voltage atoutput of integrator 212.

Rotation of the wiper 222 will cause similar rotation in the printingplaten 108 until the speed of the vehicle actuating sensors 202 and 206is disposed within the printing zone beneath platen 124. When the speedof the vehicle is within the printing zone, the error signal throughline 211 will be zero and a signal from the sequence and control circuit208 will energize the solenoid 128 causing platen 124 to print the dataupon the paper strip 136 The Embodiment of FIG. 9

FIG. 9 is similar toFIG. 8 in that vehicle sensors 202 and 206 may besubstantially identical as the sensors described above with FIG. 7.Also, the blanking timers 204 and 205 may be substantially identicalwith blanking timers 204 and 205 above.

The signal from the vehicle sensor 202 first enters the sequence andcontrol circuits 228 and causes a pulse generator 230 to be energized.Pulse generator 230 is preferably a clock-type generator which generatesaccurately controlled signal pulses at a constant or varying period, thevarying period accommodating an output signal which is linear withvelocity. The pulses are accumulated until the second vehicle sensor 206is activated to cease the accumulation of pulses. The accumulator mayeither count up or count down.

The pulse count is then communicated to a recorder comprising either aprinter or, alternatively, a punch 232 for computer punch tapes. Asignal generated in the yehicle sensor 206 is communicated through thesequence and control circuits 228 and through line 234 to the printer orpunch 232 to record the data communicated thereto by the pulse generator230. Also, a signal from thecircuits 228 through line 236 resets theprinter or punch 232 to a zero reading after the signal through line 234has caused the printer or punch 232 to record the data available fromthe pulse generator 230.

PREFERRED METHODS OF RECORDING DATA Reference is now made to FIG. whichschematically illustrates a conventional two-lane road generallydesignated 240 accommodating two-way trafiicfThe road comprises curbs242 and 244 and is divided into lanes 246 and 248 by a center stripe250. Traffic in lane 246'tr'avels normally in direction of arrow 252 andtraftic in lane 248 normally travels in the direction of arrow 254.

The vehicle data recordinginstrument is normally disposed in a fixedposition adjacent the curb, for example, curb 244 and is preferablychained to a rigid object (not shown). Electric current conducting cords46 and 48 are connected to pneumatic switches 50 and 52 respectivelywhich are, in turn, attached to pneumatic tubes 256 and 258.

If the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. ,1-5 is used, the distancebetween tubes 256 and 258 asshown by double-headed arrow 260 ispreferably l46.7 feet. In embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9,"shorterdistances may be preferred. In any event, the distance between tubes 256and 258 must be relatively accurately known and spaced so as to becalibrated with the recorder 20 so that the correct miles-per-hourreading will be recorded.

If the vehicle first actuating the recorder 20 is traveling in thedirection of arrow 252, switch 50 will be caused to be the first vehiclesensor and after the initial impulse therefrom will be blanked out asabove described. The blanking timers are most effective when usedexclusively with unidirectional traffic. When the vehicle traveling inthe direction of arrow 252 strikes the tube 258, the switch 52 will beactuated so that the vehicle speed and time of day will be recorded.Also, the switch 50 may be electrically connected in the recorder sothat if switch 50 is first actuated the directional mark 141 will beadjacent the time of day. In this condition traffic traveling in thedirection of arrow 254 will cause switch 52 to be first actuated and nodirectional mark will be printed adjacentthe time of day (See FIG. 6).

It should be appreciated that if traffic density is very high itmay bedesirable to place tubes 256 and 258 across only one lane of traffic andto use a separate vehicle recorder 20 and tube system to monitor theother lane of traffic.

From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that the improved method andapparatus comprising the present invention accommodates a more completeand accurate description of vehicle traffic patterns without constantattention by an operator.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. Data collecting apparatus for simultaneously recording data relatingto a moving vehicle which actuates the apparatus, the apparatuscomprising:

means for recording data comprising adjacent platens, each havingindicia thereon, one representativerof time of day and the otherrepresentative of velocity and an opposed platen;

clock means for displacing one adjacent platen at a uniform rate;

means for displacing the other adjacent platen as determined by thetime-relation of at least two developed signals;

signal-responsive means connected to the opposed platen for causing astriking action between the adjacent platens and opposed platen;

registering means interposed between the adjacent and opposed platensupon which data is recorded;

switch means which comprises at least two pneumaticiswitches each ofwhich is operably connected to a pnuematic Sensor, each pneumatic sensorbeing placed on a roadway in spaced relation from the next so as to beserially actuated by a motor vehicle moving thereacross wherebytimerelated signals representative of the velocity of the vehiclearedeveloped;

means associated with the switch means for graphically indicating uponthe registering means which one of the pneumatic sensors was firstactuated so that the direction of travel of the vehicle can be easilydetermined.

2. Data collecting apparatus for simultaneously recording data relatingto a moving vehicle which actuates the apparatus, the apparatuscomprising:

means for recording data comprising adjacent platens each having indiciathereon, one representative of time of day and the other representativeof velocity and an opposed platen;

clock means for displacing one adjacent platen at a uniform rate;

means for displacing the other adjacent platen as determined by thetime-relation of at least two developed signals;

signal-responsive means connected to the opposed platen for causing astriking action between the adjacent platens and opposed platen;

registering means interposed between the adjacent and opposed platensupon which data is recorded;

at least two sensor means each spaced from the next so as to be seriallyactuated by a motor vehicle;

means for determining the order of actuation of the sensor means so thatthe direction of travel of the vehicle can be easily determined;

recording means for graphically indicating upon the registering meanswhich sensor means was first actuated;

signal means, associated with the means for determining the order ofactuation of the sensor means, for causing said recording means tooperate;

wherein the signal-responsive means causes the time of day and vehiclevelocity and direction of travel to be recorded in juxtaposition on theregistering means.

3. In a method of collecting and recording data relating to motorvehicle traffic, the steps of:

placing vehicle sensors a spaced distance one from another and seriallytriggering each sensor to form a plurality of electronic pulses each ofwhich is time-displaced from the next; generating electronic signals intime-relation to the velocity of a moving vehicle; altering the positionof a data-registering structure in response to the electronic signals sothat a representation of the velocity of the moving vehicle is obtained;positioning; a second data-registering structure so that arepresentation of the time of day is obtained; actuating the structureto record the representations of the time of day and the velocity of themoving vehicle, one in relation to the other; and determining which ofthe sensors is first triggered and printing an indication of thedirection of travel of the moving vehicle indicated by thedetermination.

1. Data collecting apparatus for simultaneously recording data relating to a moving vehicle which actuates the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: means for recording data comprising adjacent platens each having indicia thereon, one representative of time of day and the other representative of velocity and an opposed platen; clock means for displacing one adjacent platen at a uniform rate; means for displacing the other adjacent platen as determined by the time-relation of at least two developed signals; signal-responsive means connected to the opposed platen for causing a striking action between the adjacent platens and opposed platen; registering means interposed between the adjacent and opposed platens upon which data is recorded; switch means which comprises at least two pneumatic switches each of which is operably connected to a pnuematic sensor, each pneumatic sensor being placed on a roadway in spaced relation from the next so as to be serially actuated by a motor vehicle moving thereacross whereby time-related signals representative of the velocity of the vehicle are developed; means associated with the switch means for graphically indicating upon the registering means which one of the pneumatic sensors was first actuated so that the direction of travel of the vehicle can be easily determined.
 2. Data collecting apparatus for simultaneously recording data relating to a moving vehicle which actuates the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: means for recording data comprising adjacent platens each having indicia thereon, one representative of time of day and the other representative of veloCity and an opposed platen; clock means for displacing one adjacent platen at a uniform rate; means for displacing the other adjacent platen as determined by the time-relation of at least two developed signals; signal-responsive means connected to the opposed platen for causing a striking action between the adjacent platens and opposed platen; registering means interposed between the adjacent and opposed platens upon which data is recorded; at least two sensor means each spaced from the next so as to be serially actuated by a motor vehicle; means for determining the order of actuation of the sensor means so that the direction of travel of the vehicle can be easily determined; recording means for graphically indicating upon the registering means which sensor means was first actuated; signal means, associated with the means for determining the order of actuation of the sensor means, for causing said recording means to operate; wherein the signal-responsive means causes the time of day and vehicle velocity and direction of travel to be recorded in juxtaposition on the registering means.
 3. In a method of collecting and recording data relating to motor vehicle traffic, the steps of: placing vehicle sensors a spaced distance one from another and serially triggering each sensor to form a plurality of electronic pulses each of which is time-displaced from the next; generating electronic signals in time-relation to the velocity of a moving vehicle; altering the position of a data-registering structure in response to the electronic signals so that a representation of the velocity of the moving vehicle is obtained; positioning a second data-registering structure so that a representation of the time of day is obtained; actuating the structure to record the representations of the time of day and the velocity of the moving vehicle, one in relation to the other; and determining which of the sensors is first triggered and printing an indication of the direction of travel of the moving vehicle indicated by the determination. 